Relationship of spasticity to soft tissue body composition and the metabolic profile in persons with chronic motor complete spinal cord injury

Model System:

Reference Type:

Accession No.:

Journal:

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Background/Objective: To determine the effects of spasticity on anthropometrics, body composition
(fat mass [FM] and fat-free mass [FFM]), and metabolic profile (energy expenditure, plasma glucose, insulin
concentration, and lipid panel) in individuals with motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI).
Methods: Ten individuals with chronic motor complete SCI (age, 33 ± 7 years; BMI, 24 ± 4 kg/m2; level of
injury, C6-Tl l ; American Spinal Injury Association A and B) underwent waist and abdominal
circumferences to measure trunk adiposity. After the first visit, the participants were admitted to the
general clinical research center for body composition (FFM and FM) assessment using dual energy x-ray
absorptiometry. After overnight fasting, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and metabolic profile (plasma
glucose, insulin, and lipid profile) were measured. Spasticity of the hip, knee, and ankle flexors and
extensors was measured at 6 time points over 24 hours using the Modified Ashworth Scale.
Results: Knee extensor spasticity was negatively correlated to abdominal circumferences (r = -0.66, P =0.038). After accounting for leg or total FFM, spasticity was negatively related to abdominal circumference (r = -0.67, P = 0.03). Knee extensor spasticity was associated with greater total %FFM (r = 0.64; P =0.048), lower %FM (r = -0.66; P = 0.03), and lower FM to FFM ratio. Increased FFM (kg) was associated with higher RMR (r = 0.89; P = 0.0001). Finally, spasticity may indirectly influence glucose homeostasis and
lipid profile by maintaining FFM (r = -0.5 to -0.8, P

Author(s):

Participating Centers: